Instead of trying to identify the perfect perk, shift your focus to bringing the company's culture and mission to life in an authentic way. (Photo: Shutterstock)
A recent poll from Gallup connected employee engagement to workplace benefits—and it's time for your team to get on board. To get started, there are three benefits that HR teams should address to improve company culture in the new year: perks, financial resources and well-being. Fortunately, “rethinking” these employee benefits don't always mean spending more, just thinking differently.
|1. Accept that perks are superficial.
Examine the budget for those big, expensive holiday parties. How could that money be better distributed? The ROI on a holiday party is merely a short-term boost in engagement. Instead of trying to identify the perfect perk, shift your focus to bringing the company's culture and mission to life in an authentic way.
You can start by examining the collective values, norms and beliefs of the organization. This is the backdrop for everything that happens at your company and the day-to-day experience. Then ask yourself, do employees feel valued? Do we give honest feedback? Do leaders always “win” the conversation? Is the organization luxurious and elaborate, or frugal and modest? Is it fast-paced and risk-taking or methodical and calculated? Creating an intentional environment where employees feel cared for will deliver an exponentially higher impact than surface-level perks will.
|2. Personalize your financial well-being resources.
Offering a 401(k) is great, but might feel overwhelming to an employee who's trying to find money for groceries. More employers are offering retirement benefits, but exclude other factors, like credit score monitoring, financial literacy and structured programs tailored for the individual.
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